The move comes in the wake of growing incidents of ceasefire violation by Pakistan.

Amid the growing incidents of ceasefire violation by Pakistan, the Border Security Force (BSF) will not exchange sweets with Pakistani Rangers at the Attari-Wagah border on Friday on the occasion of the Republic Day.

A senior BSF official on condition of anonymity said: “This time we are not exchanging sweets with Pakistani Rangers.”

Though the official did not elaborate on the reason behind the decision, the BSF move is apparently in protest against the repeated breach of truce by Pakistan.

Traditionally, the BSF and Pakistani Rangers have been offering sweets to Pakistani Rangers on the Republic Day, Independence Day, Diwali and Eid, as a goodwill gesture.

As per the media reports, the current month witnessed a record number of ceasefire violations by Pakistan along the Line of Control (LOC.)

Meanwhile, Indo-Pak Friendship Front secretary Deepkal Walia said: “Though the tension between the countries is escalating on the LOC, it is very sad to hear that sweets won’t exchanged by the troops on the border. It is our tradition, which must be followed.”

He added, “Actually, it is the deep-rooted conspiracy of anti-national elements of both the countries to thwart peace-making activities. If the BSF and Pakistani Rangers will stop following such peace moves, the aim of the anti-nationals will be achieved.”

However, social activist Harikrishan Arora said, “This is a good move by BSF as Pakistan has not been stopping its ceasefire violations.”